Anyway, gone for a year from the game, and I'm surprised something like this hasn't already been implemented in the intervening time. I mean, everything points to this as a necessity. No off-hand item, a frigging Action with the picture of a tackle box, but no tackle box to be found in the game.
As I said, I get the need to bloat inventory items and minimize inventory space to get the extra retainers, but the limitations in place make it impossible (I don't mean it makes it difficult, I literally mean IMPOSSIBLE) to round out ALL Disciples of the Hand/Land and cover item creation for all level ranges, even assuming "just" one stack of each crafting material needed.

All of the above being said, maybe the easiest solution would be to let us purchase more freaking Retainers, instead!! PLEASE HELP MY INVENTORY!